Getting my FL class G security license soon (armed) and...

[Joey_the_Wolf]

I had a question or two to ask my friends here.
Well, both me and my mom (and quite possibly some other people in the near future if things go well) plan on eventually starting our own security company, and in the mean time working as guards for other companies. We'll be taking the course for the class G license soon, probably within 2 weeks. Thing is state of FL has caliber restrictions for guards, meaning only 9mm, .357mag or .38spcl are OK for guards. Mom has an Inox Beretta M92 9mm so she's taken care of and happy with her firearm. Me on the other hand, I decided to go with a 1911A1 pistol when it came time for me to get my own handgun last year, because I'm partial towards heavier calibers. Now I find myself without a Florida security guard approved gun. You know what that means..... It means that I'll have to purchase another gun soon. Always fun

Now, I'm actually leaning towards a revolver. I know that's an odd thing for a 21 year old to say. I know I should be saying that I want the most high tech tacticool ultra high speed low drag gun available, but yeah, I am leaning towards a good solid .357 mag revolver. I'm thinking about a 4 inch model. This being Florida, I would prefer it be a stainless model due to the high humidity and saltwater air in the area.

I'm sure there are many of you with alot more firearms experience than me, so I wanted to know if you thought that this was a good idea overall. I'm 21 and a college student, so I can't really afford to get an H&K USP or a Sig P226, or anything overly pricy right now, so my 9mm choices would be limited to the $500 or so range. I'm not a huge fan of Glocks ( I tried them, but I can't hit my target anywhere near as well as using my 1911 or my mom's Beretta or any other pistol for that matter. It's not the gun, it's me, I know. 1911 and Sig triggers have spoiled me)

Here's what it comes down to though. I can probably purchase a Springfield XD in 9mm with that XD gear that comes with it for about $500 or so. The XD is a good solid pistol that would serve me well, and 15 rounds of +P 9mm should solve about any problems I come across as a guard. Unlike some guards, I do not plan on getting into situations that would require much more than that, or require me to take multiple .308 rounds to the back (inside joke there )
If it really hits the fan, then I would have an extra magazine or two. I'm aware that being a security guard *can* be hazardous, but I doubt I would run into anything that would require that much firepower.

So, for the same $500 budget, I could probably find myself a good quality S&W or similar revolver, a good holster, some speed loaders and maybe some extra ammo. I don't think that's a bad deal, so what would you guys recommend over all? I also don't mind buying used, so long as it's in good shape. I've bought a couple of guns this way, and I'm happy with them all. Once I get that license, I'll be purchasing something, so I can't really take the "save up for a few months and get brand X that's really expensive but good" approach.

Also, just as a hypothetical side note question (since I don't really forsee a need for this any time soon), as a corporation, and as a security company, would we be allowed to purchase post '86 NFA items, or is that still a no go?
Just curious really.

Any hints, tips or advice would be appreciated,

thanks!

 

[RichardInFlorida]

Joey,

A few comments that I hope will be helpful.

First, my understanding of Florida law is that you can only carry a 9mm, .38 SPL, or .380 ACP. A .357 Magnum revolver is allowed, but you still have to carry .38 SPL ammo in it. (Refer to FSS 493.6115 (6) link: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes...Search_String=firearms&URL=CH0493/Sec6115.HTM ) So, with this in mind, the 9mm is generally regarded as being the most powerful caliber of the three, with .38 SPL next, and .380 in a solid last place. Everybody has their favorite loads, but I suggest the Federal PBLE 115 gr. +P+, the Winchester Ranger 127 gr +P+, and the Speer Gold Dot 124 gr +P. Black Hills and Corbon make excellent copies of some of these loads.

The XD has gotten good reviews from a lot of people, but my experiences with them has been disappointing. If you like them, make sure you get the most current production model. The older models will show rust in less than a week of wear in the Florida humidity.

I personally like the S&W M&P 9mms that are out now. I'm not sure on the retail price on these, but I imagine it is near the same price point.

Whatever gun you decide to go with, spend the extra money and put 200 rounds of the full-power duty ammo through it to make sure it will function reliably.

One more thing: develop the mindset that bad things can, and will, happen to you. You may not go looking for trouble, but you can't prevent it from looking for you. By the very nature of your job, you are plainly visible to bad people and you are expected to intervene when bad people do bad things. You are going to carry a gun for a reason.

Consider recent shootings in the Salt Lake City and Kansas City malls, or the shootings at V-Tech. You may not be looking for trouble, but if you were working at any of these places, trouble would have found you and people's lives are literally in your hands. You better be ready to respond decisively with all of the violence that's necessary to stop the killing.

--Richard

 

[Geronimo45]

Try the guns out. You can get Berettas for pretty low prices, if you like them.

I reckon a wheelgun's a great choice, if you can shoot it well. You might want to get a set of Crimson Trace lasergrips for it sometime - they're awfully nice for indoors and low-light outdoors shooting. Best of luck to you!

 

[.cheese.]

Revolvers are nice.... reliability is their forte

Semi-autos though have the capacity you'd want to be ready.

Smith & Wesson M&P is fine.... I won't disagree with the poster above... nothing wrong with them

The XD's are apprently good too. I certainly haven't heard anything bad about them.

My personally favorite (and what most of my pistols are) are Glocks. A Glock 17 or 19, both 9mm, you'll find a gazillion holsters for them, they are very reliable (I don't have 9mm Glocks, mine are .40, but nonetheless I've had not a single failure with any of them). I know they don't look pretty....... but if you were a carpenter faced with a choice between a gold-plated crank-powered manual drill and a Makita power drill? Which would you choose?

 

[Trebor]

as a corporation, and as a security company, would we be allowed to purchase post '86 NFA items,

No. Didn't you ask this question before? (If it wasn't you, sorry. In that case someone else asked the exact same question in very similiar circumstances.)

What is your business plan for the security company? You sound kinda underfunded to me.

 

[Happyshooter]

My wife has a stainless .357 Ladysmith 65LS (stainless bead blasted, full lug barrel, fixed sight, three inch barrel, GREAT grips and trigger). This is a great gun.

I would think hard about getting one of those. I am looking for one for me, and the smith and wesson forums say you can buff out the "ladysmith" engraving with flitz, if it is for a man.

 

[gunsmith]

Ruger GP100

great gun!

How is it that when I was a CA armed guard I could carry
anything I could qualify with and FL , while a better state for ccw
restricts that?

My CA guard card had .38 (super and special) .357, .40, .45, 9mm,

 

[HammerG26]

Glock 19 is a excellent gun. Carry it with the 19 Magazine, with a couple of 17 magazines as backups.

 

[Rossshady120]

Bersa Thunder 9 i just got mine not too long ago and i'm loving it. SA/DA 9mm,40, 45 whatever floats your boat i went with 9mm because i'm shooting ISPC most of the time and its cheaper and plus i get to hold 17+1 of those puppies in my baby. cost me 400 out the door with 2 mags then i got a nice leather case and sum winchester JHP's didn't have one FTF or FTE its loud as hell though.

 

[deputydon]

You should also consider getting the best thin bullet resistant vest you can afford.......

-Don

 

[jdc1244]

We'll be taking the course for the class G license soon, probably within 2 weeks.

Have your current employers requested you take the course? If not notify them of your plans first. One does not just take the course and start carrying or selling your armed services.

What is your business plan for the security company? You sound kinda underfunded to me.

Not to be a wet blanket but I agree; it also seems you’re not familiar with current laws, regulations, and requirements. What kind of security services will you be selling? Unless it’s something highly specialized the days of the mom and pop security companies are long gone, at least in Florida.

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

Has anyone out there thought about getting a G license as a way around the FL open carry prohibition? I have not really looked into it but it seems like there should be an opening there somewhere.

 

[Rossshady120]

for you to open carry with a G you must be working so if you get caught not working your facing time. this aint texas buddy we don't open carry in FL. thats how people die. if people knew what we did in this office then we wouldn't be good at what we do - The Departed. even off-duty cops have to CC its the law unless your in AK then go for it.

 

[Geronimo45]

Thread's a year old, folks.

 

[psyopspec]

Sorry Geronimo, I couldn't resist...

this aint texas buddy we don't open carry in FL.

Open carry violates TX CCW Laws.

if people knew what we did in this office then we wouldn't be good at what we do

Really? Let me guess - you take multiple .308 rounds to the back while your partner returns fire with the PSG-1 with the Starlight scope mounted on it...

- The Departed.

Either that, or you stalk Matt Damon.